Hello!

Our opening of the newsletter is once again a big thank you to all members who were involved in the production of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in any way. The success of the shows is always very much dependent on the help we receive from you on the production side, behind stage, or in ‘administration’ and ‘front of house.’ However large or however small; your contribution of time is of extreme value to us and is very much appreciated.

Bessie's bit!

As the Secretary and I am sure, with the agreement of the committee, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Ray for all the time and work he puts into the organising of the production and the committee matters. He spends hours and hours seeing to all aspects and if there are any problems, he is the one that seems to have the ability and diplomacy to sort them out. I can only say it is a good job he does not charge for all the time and petrol he uses, or financially it would be rather worrying.

Now back to the newsletter...

We have now had the AGM,which was on the 9th March at the Community Centre.

In our joint report, Ray and I mentioned the fact that it had been a very much up and down year. We had to change MDs part way through rehearsals, and had one or two other worries regarding cast etc. when the choreographer Fiona had to step in and take a part (thank you Fiona) but we still came through with what we thought was a very successful show. Unfortunately our ticket sales were noticeably down, due mainly to the weather. Fortunately we did survive and manage to pay all our bills with just a little in reserve. However we will be giving great thought to fund raising again this year, so if you can come up with a good idea or wish to help, please let us know what you have in mind.

This year we did not have a DVD of the show because we could not guarantee to sell the number needed to make it financially viable for the photographer. Ray knew that members were disappointed about this, and therefore arranged for a number of photographs to be taken by the Frodsham Photographic Society. Unfortunately he received them too late for Show Week. He has since, selected a good cross section to form a ‘presentation’ which was shown before and after the AGM. This along with the Abba music to accompany it made for good viewing. If anyone would like see them and then purchase a set (£5.00), please contact one of us for details.

Ray: 07974 560 640 Bessie: 01928 732515

Dates for your diary

As most of you will know, the next show in January 2011, will be ‘Aladdin’. Susan Oldfield, our “Wicked Witch” in Sleeping Beauty will be changing roles to become our “Directorial Dynamo” for the Show. The remainder of the Production Team are still being put together by the Committee.

There will be a meeting by the Production Team on Wednesday 9th June at Frodsham Community Centre commencing at 7.30pm. This will be primarily for Susan to explain what she will be looking for when casting the PRINCIPAL parts. It is not really an evening when potential Dancers/Chorus need attend.

The Auditions will then follow this evening on the dates shown below:-

Principals 11th June 2010 Registration to begin at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start.

Dancers 12th June 2010 Registration to begin at 9.00am for a 9.30am start.

Chorus 12th June 2010 Registration to begin at 12.30pm for a 1.00pm start.

The auditions will also take place at the Centre.

All the audition pieces will be downloadable from our Website www.frodshampanto.org.uk in the near future. For now, please find attached the parts available in the Show and a resume of their characters.

We are aware that the auditions do seem to take a long time when you are waiting either to have your audition or waiting for the results; but we do regularly have so much talent available to us, it is only fair to give everyone an equal chance and cannot hurry it along too quickly. Because of this we do ask you to be patient with us.

Rehearsals will then start, as normal, in September.

Theatre Workshop 2010

A programme of Theatre Workshops is to be held in May/June and will be on the subjects:-

Set Design; Costume Design; Working with voices; Beginners lighting workshop, Advanced lighting workshop and Directing Workshop.

These will take place at Knutsford Civic Centre and Harlequins Theatre, Northwich. The cost per workshop being £20.

If anyone is interested in attending one of these, please call 01244 972679 or email artswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

In the meantime we hope you will have an enjoyable summer especially if you are going away on holiday (don’t forget Slip on a hat, SLOP on the sun cream and SLAP on a hat) and come back to Panto with plenty of enthusiasm and energy.

Best wishes and Happy Days
Bessie